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Cajun Garlic Butter Shrimp with Creamy Pesto Pasta.

Cajun Garlic Butter Shrimp with Creamy Pesto Pasta

Delicious Cajun Garlic Butter Shrimp served over Creamy Pesto Pasta, perfect for a hearty meal.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Cajun, Italian
Servings 6 servings
Calories 399 kcal

Equipment

  • Food Processor
  • large pot
  • large skillet

Ingredients
  

Pesto Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups fresh basil
  • 1 cup baby arugula
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded, if desired
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • ¼ cup toasted nuts
  • cup grated parmesan cheese, or nutritional yeast
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Remaining Ingredients

  • 1 pound pasta
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter
  • 1 ½ pounds raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
  • 1 each juice from 1 lemon
  • ¼-1/3 cup canned full fat coconut milk (or milk of choice)

Instructions
 

Making Pesto

  • In a food processor, combine the basil, arugula, jalapeño, 1 clove of garlic, the nuts, parmesan, and ¼ cup olive oil. Season with salt. Pulse until a sauce forms, adding 1-2 tablespoons water if needed to thin.

Cooking Pasta

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, remove ½ cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain and add the pasta right back into the hot pot.

Combining Pasta and Pesto

  • Add the pesto and coconut milk, tossing to combine. Thin the pasta as desired with the reserved pasta cooking water.

Cooking Shrimp

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter, shrimp, cajun seasonings, and a big pinch of pepper. Cook on both sides until seared, about 2-3 minutes per side. Stir in the garlic, cook until fragrant. Remove from the heat, stir in the lemon juice.

Final Steps

  • Toss the shrimp with the pasta. Grab a fork and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 399kcal
Keyword Cajun Garlic Butter Shrimp, Creamy Pesto Pasta, easy recipe, Pasta Recipe, Quick Dinner, Shrimp Recipe
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